Chapter 109: Countdown to the Grand Wedding 1

The next morning, a series of mountain peaks stretched endlessly in the distance, with white mist moving between them, creating an ethereal atmosphere like a fairyland.

At times, it resembled a calm lake, and at others, it drifted endlessly with the wind as if surging with anger towards the sky.

Tall pines stood straight, green grass lush, and as a gentle breeze blew, the fragrance of flowers spread, filling the air with a refreshing scent that invigorated the spirit.

“Elder Sister Yuner, the scenery here is truly beautiful with its clear mountains and waters!” Su Qingwan, dressed in handsome male attire, held Lu Yuner’s hand as they leisurely strolled through the mountains.

Being able to travel with Elder Sister Yuner again, he could hardly contain his joy, and his steps became lighter.

The young man’s happiness also infected Lu Yuner, and she smiled indulgently, realizing that Ah Wan was not only easy to please but also quick to become happy.

Suddenly hearing the particularly heavy sound of bells coming from not far away, Lu Yuner’s eyebrows raised slightly, her bright eyes looking into the distance, “Ah Wan, we’re almost there.”

As they continued up the mountain, they encountered many early-rising pilgrims along the way, carrying baskets filled with food and fruit.

Following along with them, climbing the long stone steps, Su Qingwan, having been born into wealth and privilege, found the mountain climb quite challenging for his physique.

So Lu Yuner intentionally stopped to rest after walking for a while, and they proceeded in this start-and-stop manner.

After a long time, they finally caught sight of the temple among the green trees, with apricot-yellow courtyard walls and ash-gray ridge tiles.

Su Qingwan suddenly felt energized. In fact, he also had a wish in his heart for this visit, so he quickened his pace to reach the front of the temple. After a brief rest and slowly regulating his breathing, he looked up and the first thing that caught his eye were three large characters.

Yuan Ruo Temple.

There were several famous temples around the capital, but this Yuan Ruo Temple was one he had heard of but never visited before.

Compared to other temples, coming to Yuan Ruo Temple was more arduous, as the only way to enter the temple was by walking up the stairs, yet pilgrims seeking blessings and prayers came in an endless stream.

As the saying goes: A sincere heart will be answered.

They believed that to make a wish to Buddha, one needed to show sincerity, and climbing the stairs step by step was just a trial.

They stepped into the temple and looking into the courtyard, they found that even at this early hour, there were already devotees and commoners who had come to pray for blessings.

In the center of the temple’s front courtyard stood a tall and straight ginkgo tree, its trunk thick and gnarled, clearly of great age.

Colorful silk ribbons hung from its lush branches, with wishes written in gold-powdered ink, and nearby stood incense burners for offerings, with a constant stream of worshippers.

Walking up the steps and further in, there was a spacious Buddha hall, enshrining several large Buddha statues. The inside was filled with swirling incense smoke, and worshippers knelt with clasped hands, kowtowing.

After the other pilgrims had finished their worship, Lu Yuner and Su Qingwan knelt together devoutly on the cushions before the Buddha statue, hands clasped and eyes closed in prayer.

Lu Yuner, having experienced death once, felt reverence but no fear before these Buddha statues.

She dared not be greedy in her wishes or hope for too much. For her, being able to live again was already a blessing from heaven. Today’s visit to Yuan Ruo Temple was firstly to pray for blessings for her loved one, and secondly to put the past to rest.

Since she had chosen to stay, all past matters should be severed.

However, there were still some things that needed resolution.

Su Qingwan secretly opened his eyes to look at the person beside him. The woman kneeling with him on the cushion had her eyes closed, her expression devout, but her delicate profile carried a hint of solemnity.

Su Qingwan thoughtfully withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes. He knew that this visit to Yuan Ruo Temple held great significance for Elder Sister Yuner.

She was a person who had lived in two worlds, possessing two different lives. Perhaps compared to here, the other world was the place she was most familiar with.

Yet now she was willing to bring him along, further demonstrating her determination to stay.

After they finished worshipping, they came to the temple courtyard. Lu Yuner thought about inquiring with a monk.

At this moment, a young monk approached and said, “Greetings, benefactors. It’s been a while, Benefactor Lu!”

Su Qingwan and Lu Yuner then bowed to him in return.

Lu Yuner politely asked, “Young monk, I wish to see Master Liao Chen. Could you please show us the way?”

The young monk replied, “Master Liao Chen left to wander the four seas several months ago. However, before leaving, he left a letter for Benefactor Lu, which is temporarily kept by the temple’s abbot, Master Yuan Zhi. Please follow me to the back courtyard.”

Arriving at the back courtyard, the young monk spoke, “The abbot is chanting sutras. Would the two benefactors please wait here for a moment?”

Lu Yuner nodded in response, “Thank you for your trouble, young monk.”

Su Qingwan then looked around and found the back courtyard very quiet, with moss covering the stone slabs. However, in the front courtyard, there were many young men and women gathered around an ancient Bodhi tree.

Its branches were lush, its trunk thick, probably requiring three people to embrace it fully. The luxuriant trunk was hung with red string wishing tokens, presumably tied by young men and women praying for a good marriage.

Su Qingwan’s interest was piqued, and he linked arms with her, speaking in a coquettish voice, “Elder Sister Yuner, can we go take a look?”

Lu Yuner also saw that wishing tree and said, “Mm.”

She had been here before, but at that time, she had just arrived in this world and had sought answers from Master Liao Chen of Yuan Ruo Temple about her questions regarding obtaining rebirth and coming to a different world.

Su Qingwan came to the foot of the tree and saw that there were still many men and women coming to hang tokens and make wishes. At a glance, all the marriage tokens were written with hopes for good marriages.

He looked up at the Bodhi tree, and a gentle breeze passed by, making the red strings dance lightly, and leaves fluttered down one after another, making a rustling sound.

It seemed to be inviting him.

Lu Yuner looked at Su Qingwan and smiled, “This is an ancient marriage wishing tree, said to be extremely efficacious. Many unmarried men and women come here to pray for good marriages. Has Ah Wan ever made such a wish?”

“No, Ah Wan has never made such a wish,” Su Qingwan said, his face slightly red.

Lu Yuner smiled slightly, “Do you want to hang a marriage token now?”

Su Qingwan immediately shook his head and said, “No need. Now I already have Elder Sister Yuner, I don’t want anything else.”

Knowing he had misunderstood her meaning, Lu Yuner explained, “If unmarried men and women hang these marriage tokens, they are wishing for a harmonious marriage. But… if lovers who are already together hang them, they are wishing for their existing relationship to last until old age, happy and content.”

Su Qingwan then understood and said with a beaming smile, “Then let’s hang one too.”

Suddenly, a deep and lingering voice came from behind, “Amitabha, greetings to the two benefactors.”

Lu Yuner and Su Qingwan turned to look, and saw beside the young monk an elderly monk wearing a kasaya, fingering prayer beads, with a white beard and kind eyes.

They walked forward, bowed slightly with hands clasped, and said in unison, “Greetings, Master Yuan Zhi.”

Master Yuan Zhi looked meaningfully at the two before him, then took out a letter and handed it to Lu Yuner, “This is from Master Liao Chen for Benefactor Lu. He also left a message, hoping that Benefactor Lu will let things take their natural course.”

Lu Yuner received the letter with both hands, “I understand.”

Master Yuan Zhi spoke earnestly, “However… this old monk also has a word to offer Benefactor Lu.”

Lu Yuner paused slightly and said, “Please speak.”

Master Yuan Zhi smiled faintly, “Everything is predestined. Fate is heaven’s will. Cherish the person before you.”

After saying this, he glanced at Su Qingwan beside her and then left.

Hearing Master Yuan Zhi’s words, Lu Yuner’s lips curved slightly, and she looked thoughtfully at the letter in her hand before opening it to read.

After a while, seeing that she had finished reading the letter.

Su Qingwan quietly approached and took Lu Yuner’s other hand. He had heard all of the previous conversation and shyly asked, “Elder Sister Yuner, will you cherish Ah Wan well, and never, ever, ever leave Ah Wan?”

Lu Yuner gripped his hand tightly and smiled gently, “Mm, I will never, ever, ever leave Ah Wan.”

Su Qingwan’s eyes were full of happiness and contentment. He held her hand and walked forward, “Then let’s go hang a marriage token!”

“Wait! Doesn’t Ah Wan want to know what’s written in this letter?” Lu Yuner called out to stop him.

Su Qingwan stopped, looked at the letter in her hand, and then quietly shook his head, “Although Ah Wan wants to know, this is Elder Sister Yuner’s private matter. I know this visit to Yuan Ruo Temple is of great significance to Elder Sister Yuner.”

“For Ah Wan, as long as Elder Sister Yuner can stay by Ah Wan’s side, that’s enough. As for other things… Ah Wan asks for nothing more.”

Lu Yuner understood the meaning behind his words and said, “Does Ah Wan remember what happened on Qingming Festival?”

Qingming Festival?! Su Qingwan’s eyes suddenly widened, his mind instantly recalling Elder Sister Yuner’s agonized state that day, in stark contrast to her standing peacefully before him now. It was hard to believe.

He didn’t know why Elder Sister Yuner had been like that on that day.

Seeing that Elder Sister Yuner had no discomfort afterward, he didn’t ask further, but he always kept it in his heart.

Seeing the concern in the young man’s eyes, Lu Yuner explained, “Actually, it wasn’t an illness. I’m like that every Qingming Festival, but as soon as Qingming passes, I return to normal.”

“I need Ah Wan.” Lu Yuner placed the letter in his hand, the corners of her mouth lifting in a slight smile, “Take a look.”

The slightly stunned Su Qingwan read the letter and then said with a red face, “Ah Wan knows what to do now.”

The content of this letter explained his confusion, and he also understood the meaning behind Elder Sister Yuner’s words just now.

Lu Yuner put away the letter and held his hand, smiling, “Let’s go! Let’s hang a marriage token.”

After they returned from Yuan Ruo Temple, a few days passed, and Mu Xuan’s family arrived in the capital early. As elders who had been through it all before, they helped Lu Yuner manage the entire wedding, including personally overseeing the wedding clothes and accessories to be worn.

Especially the bridal chamber, which was specially redecorated, with many bouquets of roses placed, making it both festive and with a touch of romance.

On the eve of the grand wedding, both the Lu Mansion and the Yun Prince’s Mansion were equally busy. The elders in each household carefully instructed and explained some important matters, while the soon-to-be-married couple, not having seen each other for several days, were both nervous and excited.